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Tunisia's President Kais Saied Ìýthe US officials'Ìý"unacceptable"Ìýcriticism of his policies and their "meddling in Tunisia's internal affairs".

"The recent remarks by some officials are unacceptableÌýas Tunisia is free and sovereign, and sovereignty rests in the hands of its people who expressed their will through the referendum,"ÌýSaied said, according to a published late Sunday on the presidency's Facebook page.

Saied's comments cameÌýduring a meeting with US congress members at the Carthage Presidential Palace, near the capital Tunis.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, ambassador to Tunisia nominee Joey Hood and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin have all publicly criticised Saied's controversial constitution.

Saied's constitution, which passed in a referendum last month with a 30.5 per cent turnout, gives the president unchecked powers.

In response, the Tunisian Foreign Ministry summoned Natasha Franceschi, US chargé d’affaires in Tunis, last month.

During his meeting with the delegation from the United States, Saied also criticised the terms certain parties use when discussing the decade since the Arab uprising beganÌýand the political situation in the region.

"Democracy can only be achieved under social justice and with an independent, as well as just judiciary in which everyone is equal,"Ìýhe said.

President Saied launched Sunday's meeting by "citing two centuries of Tunisian-US ties"Ìýbefore the two parties discussed the common desire to strengthen ties.Ìý

On the other hand, the US embassy in Tunis said members of the delegation had raised concerns about the North African country's democratic trajectory and urged the president to be more inclusive in his policies.Ìý

"Members of the delegation (...) urged the swift adoption of an inclusive electoral law that facilitates the broadest possible participation in the upcoming legislative elections,"Ìýa US embassy statement .

In June 2021, Saied ousted the government, suspended the parliament and assumed executive authority in moves whichÌýopponents have described asÌýa "coup".

Three months later, he appointed a government thatÌýopponents argueÌýhadÌýnoÌýsay in the country's politics under Saeid's authority.

Last week, Saied announced that a new electoral law will be passed before Tunisia's legislative elections on December 17.